Lecture - China - Notes PDF

1 THE TANG & SONG Cuisine: Fine dining with a variety of regional Purpose: Built to connect the Yellow River cuisines available at numerous restaurants. (north) and Yangzi River (south), facilitating Entertainment: Acrobats, jugglers, and ac...

1 THE TANG & SONG Cuisine: Fine dining with a variety of regional Purpose: Built to connect the Yellow River cuisines available at numerous restaurants. (north) and Yangzi River (south), facilitating Entertainment: Acrobats, jugglers, and actors trade, communication, and military performed at pleasure parks. movement. Cultural Venues: Ornate tea houses, lakeside Construction: Started under Emperor Wendi, opera performances, and viewings of greatly expanded under Yangdi. Spanned landscape paintings by artists from the city’s approximately 1,100 miles, requiring massive renowned academy. forced labor from peasants. Impact: Allowed the transport of grain and MARCO POLO goods, uniting the economy of northern and... The most noble city and the best that there southern China. Strategically important for is in the world. military movement. Challenges: The canal's construction caused THE SUI resentment due to the harsh labor conditions Noble Origins: Yang Jian belonged to a imposed on peasants. prominent north Chinese noble family Legacy: Remains a significant waterway in involved in regional power struggles. China today, continuing to influence Chinese Marriage Alliance: Arranged a marriage infrastructure. alliance between his daughter and the ruler of the northern Zhou empire. YANGZI DELTA Zhou Success: The Zhou monarch had united Strategic Location: Near the Yangzi River and much of the north China plain by defeating the East China Sea, providing access to rival rulers. resources and trade routes both domestically Intrigue and Seizure of Power: Through and internationally. political maneuvering, Yang Jian seized the Infrastructure: Crisscrossed by canals and throne from his son-in-law. Proclaimed bridges, enhancing transportation and trade. himself emperor, marking the beginning of Economic Prosperity: Thrived on the sale of his rule. goods and manufacture of products sourced from across China and overseas. REUNIFICATION Population Growth: By the late Song period, Consolidation of Power: With strong support, the city had over 1.5 million residents. Yang Jian (Emperor Wendi) extended his rule Reputation: Known for its wealth, across north China. cleanliness, and the variety of entertainment Conquest of the Chen Kingdom: In 589 CE, and diversions it offered. Wendi’s armies attacked and conquered the Chen kingdom, which had ruled much of the HANGZHOU south. Ten major marketplaces featuring goods from Reunification of China: This victory reunited around the world. the traditional core areas of Chinese Leisure: Strolling through parks and gardens civilization for the first time in over 350 years. or boating on Western Lake. Boating: Rich residents' pleasure crafts YANGDI mingled with barges for gaming, dining, or Legal Reforms: Established a milder legal enjoying performances by singing-girls. code as part of his policies. Bathhouses: Offered massages, tea, or rice Educational Initiatives: Invested resources in wine for relaxation. improving Confucian education. Worked to  2 restore the examination system for selecting including Central Asia, Tibet, Vietnam, bureaucrats. Manchuria, and Korea. Support for Scholar-Gentry: Promoted the Integration and Security: Tang emperors scholar-gentry class in imperial integrated the south with the north, securing administration. unity. They subdued nomadic tribes and These policies often undermined the great established frontier armies, securing vast aristocratic families and nomadic military territories beyond the borders of the earlier commanders. Han Empire. Extravagance: Known for his fondness for luxury and extravagant construction projects. BUREAUCRACY Restoring Unity: Early Tang emperors restored LUOYANG Chinese unity by expanding the imperial Massive Construction Projects: Conscripted bureaucracy and empowering the scholar- hundreds of thousands of peasants to build: gentry class. o Palaces. Reforms from the Sui: Building on Sui o A new capital city at Luoyang. Dynasty reforms, Tang rulers sought o A series of great canals linking parts of educated officials to govern the empire and the empire. reduce aristocratic influence. Overburdening the People: His relentless Empowerment of Scholar-Gentry: The demands exhausted and angered his scholar-gentry class replaced much of the subjects. hereditary aristocracy and filled key Military Failures: Led unsuccessful government positions. campaigns to reassert control over Korea Highly Organized Bureaucracy: The Tang (611–614) / Suffered a near-fatal defeat in bureaucracy was organized from the imperial Central Asia against Turkic nomads in 615. palace to local districts. Empire in Decline: Widespread revolts Key elements included: erupted across the empire. Provincial o Secretariats for drafting decrees and governors declared independence. Bandit monitoring officials. gangs raided freely, and nomadic peoples o Six ministries for daily administration. seized parts of the north China plain. o A Bureau of Censors to check official Retreat and Assassination: Retreated to misconduct. pleasure palaces in Hangzhou. Assassinated A large staff to manage the imperial by his own ministers in 618, leaving the household in the capital, Chang’an. empire on the verge of collapse. THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM TANG Expansion of Civil Service Exams: During the Li Yuan's Role: The Duke of Tang, Li Yuan, led Tang and Song dynasties, civil service exams a rebellion against the Sui emperor Yangdi grew in scope, and the number of scholar- with the support of his sons and allies. His gentry increased, surpassing those of the actions helped preserve China's imperial Han era. order after the fall of the Sui Dynasty. Connection Between Merit and Status: The Founding of the Tang Dynasty: After Yangdi's exams were administered by the Ministry of death, Li Yuan emerged victorious in the Rites, linking merit with status. Successful power struggle. He founded the Tang Dynasty, candidates received privileges like special which would later reach its golden age under clothing and exemption from corporal his rule and that of his son, Tang Taizong. punishment. Territorial Expansion: The Tang Empire expanded significantly, conquering regions  3 High-Ranking Officials: Those who passed Support for Buddhism: Wu supported the highest level of exams became jinshi and Buddhism, even attempting to make it the attained elevated social positions. state religion. Role of Family Connections: Despite the Merit-Based Governance: She promoted merit-based system, family connections and merit-based governance, strengthening the birth remained significant in securing Tang dynasty. government positions. Established Controversial Legacy: Despite her bureaucrats often ensured their relatives contributions, Wu Zetian earned a entered the imperial academies. controversial legacy due to her Aristocratic Influence: While there were unconventional rise to power and some opportunities for commoners, the authoritarian rule. bureaucracy remained dominated by a few prominent families, with aristocratic PERSECUTION OF BUDDHISTS influence often overshadowing merit. Buddhism's Rise and Persecution: Buddhism’s success in China faced THE STATE AND RELIGION opposition from Confucian and Daoist rivals, State Patronage of Confucian Learning: who criticized it as foreign. During the Tang Dynasty, state patronage of o Confucian officials, concerned about Confucian learning increased, which the economic impact of tax-exempt threatened both aristocratic families and monastic estates, pushed for the Buddhist monastic orders that had flourished limitation of Buddhist power. since the Six Dynasties period. Persecution began in 841 under Emperor Buddhist Patronage by Pre-Tang Rulers: Pre- Wuzong (r. 841–847), who ordered the Tang rulers, especially those of nomadic destruction of thousands of monasteries and origin, were strong Buddhist patrons. the forced return of monks and nuns to Rise of Buddhist Sects: After the fall of the civilian life. Han, Buddhist sects proliferated, with Pure o While Buddhism survived, its political Land Buddhism attracting mass conversions influence and wealth diminished, and due to its promise of salvation amidst the Confucianism became the dominant turmoil of the time. ideology. Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Elite Appeal: The o Buddhism’s influence on art and elite favored Chan (Zen) Buddhism, which thought waned but continued, and it emphasized meditation and the appreciation thrived in other regions like Southeast of nature and art, appealing particularly to Asia and Tibet. the educated classes. Tensions Between Religion and State: This AN LUSHAN REBELLION period reflected ongoing tensions between The mid-9th-century Tang assault on the religion and state systems, as the state's Buddhist monastic order reflected the increased support for Confucianism clashed weakening of imperial control, which began a with the influence of Buddhism. century earlier. After Empress Wu's controversial reign (690– EMPRESS WU 705), Empress Wei’s failed attempt to seize Empress Wu Zetian (r. 690–705): Wu Zetian power led to the reign of Emperor Xuanzong was China's only female emperor. (r. 713–756), marking the peak of Tang power. Rise to Power: She rose from being a However, Xuanzong's neglect of governance, concubine to empress, eventually ruling in focusing on arts and pleasures, including his her own right. ill-fated romance with Yang Guifei, led to political instability and economic distress.  4 Yang’s family gained power, angering rivals Scholar-Gentry Promotion: The Song and exacerbating unrest, contributing to the emphasized the scholar-gentry class, 755 An Lushan Rebellion, which severely prioritizing civil governance and reducing weakened the Tang. military influence. The rebellion was suppressed, but it resulted Bureaucratic Growth: These policies led to a in Yang’s execution and a demoralized large, often inefficient bureaucracy with Xuanzong. many well-paid officials but limited After Xuanzong's reign, later Tang rulers productivity. struggled to maintain imperial strength, with nomadic alliances and regional governors NEO-CONFUCIANISM becoming increasingly independent. Confucian Resurgence: During the Song era, Worsening economic conditions and peasant Confucianism gained prominence as revolts further destabilized the dynasty, scholars revived ancient texts and setting the stage for the Tang’s eventual established academies to study classical decline. teachings. Neo-Confucianism: Neo-Confucians, led by THE SONG thinkers like Zhu Xi, emphasized personal 907: The Tang Empire collapsed, leading to morality through knowledge and interaction political instability and increased nomadic with virtuous individuals. dominance. Opposition to Foreign Philosophies: Neo- 960: Zhao Kuangyin, a respected general, Confucians opposed foreign influences, reunified China and founded the Song particularly Buddhism, and promoted Dynasty after defeating rivals. traditional values, which ultimately hindered Zhao Kuangyin, known for his honesty and innovation. scholarship, became Emperor Taizu. Social Hierarchies: Neo-Confucianism The Song Dynasty ruled China for three reinforced rigid social hierarchies, centuries. emphasizing clear roles based on age, gender, and rank. LIAO Patriarchal Family Structure: The family Emperor Taizu's Song Dynasty faced structure mirrored the state, with the father challenges from the northern Liao Dynasty, as the central authority, akin to the emperor's founded by the Khitans in 907. role. In 1004, the Song were defeated by the Emphasis on Tradition: A belief in past Khitans, leading to humiliating treaties. experiences guiding future decisions fostered The Song were forced to pay heavy tribute to social stability but limited critical thinking avoid conquest. and innovation. The Khitans, though culturally influenced by China, viewed the Song as a superior model. DECLINE The Song emperors relied on tribute PARTIAL RESTORATION payments to nomadic kingdoms like the Smaller Boundaries: The Song Empire's Khitans and Tanguts, straining resources. territories were smaller compared to the Tang A large army was maintained, but military Dynasty, due to its weaker military power. reforms were neglected in favor of scholarly Civilian-Military Balance: Song policies pursuits and court entertainment. subordinated the military to civilian officials, Chief Minister Wang Anshi's 1070s reforms, aiming to prevent military dominance by including agricultural improvements and warlords. taxes on the elite, faced resistance and failed to prevent the dynasty's decline.  5 which had watertight compartments and THE SOUTHERN SONG large sails for efficient navigation. After Emperor Shenzong’s death in 1085, Growth in Market Organization: The Tang conservative neo-Confucians reversed Wang period experienced significant economic Anshi’s reforms, worsening economic development, including organized urban decline, peasant unrest, and military markets that fostered domestic and weaknesses. international commerce. he Jurchens overthrew the Khitans' Liao Emergence of Credit Systems: Innovations Dynasty and established the Jin Dynasty. In like flying money (a form of credit voucher) 1127, they invaded Song territory, capturing emerged to facilitate long-distance trade, the capital, Kaifeng, and Emperor Qinzong. reducing the risk of transporting physical The Song court retreated south, founding the currency. Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279) in Introduction of Paper Money: Paper money Hangzhou. Despite territorial losses, this was first introduced during the Tang to period saw cultural and economic address shortages of copper coins and flourishing, with advancements in technology streamline trade, though its widespread use and maritime trade. was more prominent in the Song dynasty. THE GRAND CANAL CHANG’AN The Sui and Tang emperors prioritized canal Urban Growth: Cities like Chang’an, the Tang construction to connect northern China with capital, grew to nearly 2 million residents, the rice-rich Yangzi River basin in the south. making it one of the largest cities in the The Grand Canal, over 500 miles long, world. facilitated the movement of goods and Commercial and Artisan Production: people, addressing the growing southern Economic activity, including trade and population. artisan craftsmanship, fueled urban It enabled efficient grain transport, linking expansion and prosperity. food-producing regions with northern Global Urban Leader: China’s urban capitals. population during the Tang period was the Emperor Yangdi’s canal project was largest globally, reflecting its advanced ambitious but costly, involving over a million economy and infrastructure. laborers. By the Tang and Song periods, the south CULTIVATION surpassed the north in population and crop Agricultural Expansion: The Tang and Song production. governments promoted settlement in fertile The Grand Canal became an engineering river valleys like the Yangzi to boost marvel, essential for governance and trade, agricultural production. despite the significant human toll. State Support: Policies encouraged migrations, military garrisons, and irrigation INVENTIONS projects to facilitate growth. Reopening of the Silk Routes: The Tang New Agricultural Techniques: Introduction dynasty restored and secured the Silk Roads, of Champa rice and improved farming tools, enabling trade with Persia, the Islamic world, such as the wheelbarrow, increased Central Asia, and beyond. productivity. Chinese Dominance in Overseas Trade: Land Redistribution: Efforts to break up Chinese merchants and sailors became key aristocratic estates redistributed land to free players in maritime trade, leveraging peasants, strengthening their economic advanced technologies like the junk ship, position.  6 Cultural Flourishing: Tang poetry and Song WOMEN landscape paintings became timeless Family Structure: During the Tang and Song masterpieces, contributing to the arts. dynasties, extended households were Cultural Practices: Practices like tea common, particularly among the upper drinking and kite flying had a lasting influence classes. on China and the wider world, shaping global Women’s Status: Women's status initially development for centuries. improved but declined by the late Song period, influenced by Confucian principles LI BAI reinforcing male dominance. Scholar-Gentry Elite: The scholar-gentry Elite Women: Elite women had more elite drove artistic and literary creativity, personal freedom, particularly in urban focusing on Confucian ideals of writing and settings like Hangzhou. painting. Legal Protections: Some laws protected Literature and Art: Scholar-administrators women’s rights, such as allowing divorce by and Confucian teachers were central to the mutual consent. creation of Tang and Song literature and Urban Independence: Wealthy women in landscape art. cities, especially in Hangzhou, gained greater Artistic Evolution: Tang art initially featured independence, with some even taking lovers. Buddhist influence but later shifted to focus on everyday life and nature. FOOT BINDING Tang Poetry: Tang poetry celebrated the Neo-Confucian Influence: In the Tang and natural world, with Li Bo (Li Bai) emerging as Song eras, neo-Confucian thinkers reinforced its most famous poet. male dominance, emphasizing women’s roles as homemakers and mothers. LANDSCAPES Widow Remarriage: They discouraged widow Chinese Landscape Painting: Characterized remarriage and promoted chastity, restricting by simplicity in composition, use of empty women’s education and political space, and an emphasis on nature. opportunities. Color Palette: Artists often used muted Men’s Freedoms: Men had greater freedoms, colors, primarily brown or black ink. including the ability to take concubines and Signature and Poetry: Artists stamped their remarry. work with signature seals, and poems related Footbinding: Footbinding became a symbol to the scene were often placed in the empty of women's growing limitations in society. space at the top or sides. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & LEISURE Technological Achievements: The Tang and Song eras are known for breakthroughs like explosive powder and the compass, which transformed warfare and navigation. Engineering Innovations: Advanced irrigation systems and bridge construction were key engineering achievements. Printing Revolution: The Song period saw the development of movable type printing, which revolutionized literacy.